Dan and Andy's Tasty Fritatta

I whipped this up the other night, with new friend Dan. A fritatta is basically an Italian omelette, that is cooked in pan. 5 large eggs, room temp 2-3 tbsp milk pinch salt/pepper whisk together and set aside 1 medium red onion, sliced finely 2 cloves of garlic, crushed finely 2 or 3 roma tomatoes, diced 1 small or 1/2 large sweet potato, peeled, diced and microwaved for 2-3minutes until soft. sea salt extra virgin olive oil cracked black pepper 1/2 tsp dried italian herbs Method fry onion, and garlic in 3tbsp olive oil, until soft. Add your diced tomato, and sea salt, and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes over a low heat, until the tomato softens, and blends with the onion and garlic. The olive oil will carry the flavours beautifully. Add sweet potato, cracked black pepper, italian herbs and the egg mix. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Cook on low heat for 2 minutes, then transfer under a hot grill and cook the top until the fritatta is golden and puffy. Voila.

Midweek Noshup: Nachos

Nachos are an excellent standby when u don't feel like cooking, or it's a Wednesday.  It's too early in the week to light the barbie and crack a coldie, and it's too late to get away with microwaved leftovers.

My little tasty treat is vegetarian because it's a) healthy b) tasty c) cheap d) all of the above!

1x packet of corn chips (try the healthy ones they taste better)
1x 400g tin of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1x 400g tin of refried beans (despite the name they aren't fried and are actually quite healthy)
handful of tasty cheese, grated
sour cream if you like, regular or light.
2tbsp light vegetable oil

1 jar of tomato salsa, or the easy 15 minute home made. See above recipe
4 tbsp spice mix: you can use a packet, or have a go.  See above!

Method.
1. In a fry pan over medium heat, lightly fry the drained kidney beans and spice mix in the oil.
2. Add 1/2 tin of refried beans and a little water, heat thru for a couple of minutes, and mash a few kidney beans up.
3. Assembly: In a bowl or pie dish, place the corn chips, refried beans and top with tomato salsa and tasty cheese. Stick a few corn chips in the top so they stick out like a hedgehog's spikes.
4. Grill under a hot grill until the cheese is melted, and corn chips are lightly toasted
Serve in the middle of the coffee table with sour cream and a slice of lemon to squeeze all over
5. Eat and enjoy :)

Zuchinni, Sweet Corn and Broccoli Pasta

This is a tasty little dish of fresh vegetables and spaghetti, made in a modern sort of way.  You can vary your ingredients if you like, but don't over crowd the dish with too many flavours, it just won't work.  Keep it simple and enjoy the result :)

2 Zuchini, sliced into 2 cm chunks
1 large corn cob
small head of green fresh broccoli cut into 4cm pieces

2 tbsp sour cream or creme freche
juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper.

1/2 pack of spaghetti, cooked in boiling salted water until al dente

steam the vegetables in a steamer over boiling water. exact time depends on the size and shape of the veg, but it takes around 10minutes for the broccoli and sweet corn, and about 5 minutes for the zuchinni.  Remove the corn kernels from the cob, using a tea towel as it will be hot!

once the vegetables are steamed, place in a large frying pan with a good slug of olive oil, and cook further for 1 minute over a medium heat and add the remaining sauce ingredients.  Season well with salt and pepper.

To finish the dish, add in drained spaghetti and a little of the cooking water, like you see on the cooking shows. The water helps make the sauce.  Mix the sauce with the pasta.

Serve in pasta bowls and top with more lemon juice and grated parmesan cheese